How to minimize motion sensor false alarms in your Brownsville home
Motion sensors are crucial aspects in a multi-layered home security strategy, as they’ll tell you if an unwanted guest is moving through your house. Unfortunately, they’re also prone to false alarms, causing irritation and a bad night’s sleep for Brownsville homeowners. If you’re trying to find solutions, explore our tips on cutting down on motion sensor false alarms.
What causes motion detector false alarms?
The bulk of home motion detectors employ passive infrared (PIR) technology to find movement. They sense changes in infrared radiation in their detection zone and can tell when something is moving by its heat signature. False alarms are frequently triggered by:
- Pets jumping on furniture or counters
- Intense sunlight shining through a window
- Various heat sources, such as air ducts and fireplaces
- Sudden humidity or temperature shifts, which cause equipment to be hypersensitive or non-reactive
Microwave motion sensors are another common option that discovers activity by continuously broadcasting and assessing electromagnetic waves. These active motion detectors recognize movement via modifications in the returning signal. Any unanticipated motion, like curtains moving when the HVAC fan kicks on, can initiate an alarm.
Tips for decreasing motion sensor false alarms at your Brownsville home
Beyond a lack of sleep, motion sensor false alarms are even more problematic as they might numb you to real risks. Additionally, frequent false alarms might become a nuisance to emergency providers and may affect ensuing response times. Luckily, you can help circumvent them by adhering to these tips:
- Investigate the sensitivity settings of your devices and adjust to your animal’s size and behavior.
- Even when using pet-friendly motion detectors, it’s wise not to direct them at high-activity places like food bowls.
- Avoid pointing motion sensors at windows exposed to bright sunlight.
- Make certain areas are sufficiently insulated to prevent drastic temperature shifts.
- Dust and clean components periodically to keep sensors working properly.
- Check batteries and change as needed. Certain motion sensors will even tell you when batteries are getting low.
- Get them installed professionally to ensure optimal placement.
You may also choose hybrid devices that utilize both passive and active tools to identify activity, providing greater accuracy.
How should you use motion sensors in your Brownsville smart home?
Incorporating motion sensor into a new smart home is a terrific way to boost your safety and convenience. You’ll have the opportunity to do the following:
- Get automatic alerts on your cell phone when movement is spotted. You could also program them to alert you when your kids arrive home from school.
- Configure cameras to record automatically whenever a motion sensor is tripped.
- Alter thermostat settings or lighting based on your home’s occupancy. This capability can help reduce energy expenses.
Leading smart home motion sensors, like the models offered by Vivint, continue to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to more effectively recognize real threats and reduce false alarms.
Create your Vivint smart home with advanced motion sensors
Get the best motion sensors in Brownsville from Vivint when you design your fully functional smart home. Our devices are pet-friendly and let you program numerous home automation actions. You’ll also benefit from the five-year battery and automatic mobile notifications. Call (956) 948-3547 today to get started.